Not time yet to install Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

I have my copy of Mac OS X 10.5, and can’t wait to install it. I’m particularly excited about two features of the operating system:

• How it will work on 64-bit-capable Macs, including my MacBook Pro and my son’s Mac Mini. Even though the kernel remains 32-bit, there should be some substantive improvements. For the first time, my 64-bit 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo-based MacBook Pro might seem faster than our 32-bit 2.0GHz Core Duo-based iMac.

• Trying Time Machine as an alternative backup scheme to what we do now, which is selective folder backups to a network drive using FoldersSynchronizer.

Sadly, I will have to wait to install Leopard. The software came out just before some really busy travel times for me (I’m writing this from New York, and then next week I’m in northern Virginia for EclipseWorld). That’s not the right time for experimenting with a new OS — let us not forget, this is a significant software change. I probably won’t be able to install until mid-November.

I’ve had to console myself with this excellent, meaty review of Leopard from John Siracusa. It’s fascinating reading.

(On my flight to NY, the woman next to me using a nice Dell laptop. When I hauled the MacBook Pro out of my bag, she exclaimed, “Show off!!” We had a good laugh about it.)